DNM highlights Kigali’s importance for a cooler Aruba

ORANJESTAD — On the occasion of the 2026 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Aruba’s Directorate of Nature and Environment (DNM) is highlighting the importance of the Montreal Protocol and, in particular, the Kigali Amendment, which marks its 10th anniversary.

Adopted in 2016, the amendment aims to reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), gases that do not directly damage the ozone layer but have a strong impact on global warming.

According to DNM, the gradual reduction of HFCs could help avoid up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of additional global warming by the end of this century. The agreement has also encouraged the development of more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable cooling systems.

For Aruba, with its semi-arid tropical climate and vulnerability to climate change, the issue has direct practical relevance. DNM points to rising temperatures, sea-level rise and pressure on marine ecosystems such as coral reefs.

A transition to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems that use less energy could help reduce electricity consumption and dependence on fossil fuels. At the same time, stricter management of refrigerant gases can support the use of more sustainable alternatives in the local industry.

DNM also connects the global effort with local action. Planting trees and vegetation around homes and open spaces can provide shade, lower local temperatures, absorb carbon and help protect biodiversity. The goal of planting 100,000 trees across Aruba is cited as an example of concrete local action.

According to DNM, protecting the atmosphere is not only the responsibility of larger countries, but a shared effort that also directly benefits Aruba.